Heretical Fishing: A Cozy Guide to Annoying the Cults, Outsmarting the Fish, and Alienating Oneself Audiobook – Heretical Fishing, Book 1

There’s something magical about listening to an audiobook on a rainy Portland afternoon, tucked under a blanket while the world softens outside. That’s exactly how I experienced Haylock Jobson’s “Heretical Fishing: A Cozy Guide to Annoying the Cults, Outsmarting the Fish, and Alienating Oneself”—and what an unexpected delight it turned out to be.

From the start, Fischer—our would-be hero turned reluctant fisherman—is unlike any protagonist I’ve met in fantasy or LitRPG audiobooks. Rather than running headlong into quests for glory (as so many heroes do), Fischer would rather pet every cute creature he meets and perfect his oddball fishing skills. There was something deeply relatable in his determination to sidestep grand destiny in favor of simple pleasures; as someone who often chooses peaceful moments with art supplies or nature over hectic social scenes, I felt an instant kinship with him.

Jobson crafts this story with razor-sharp wit—so much so that I found myself pausing just to laugh out loud at some delicious bit of wordplay or sly pop culture reference. The humor isn’t forced; instead, it bubbles up naturally from both the dialogue and Fischer’s irreverent approach to world-saving expectations. Scenes featuring inept cultists and nobles plotting amidst cosmic chaos had me grinning through entire chapters.

What makes “Heretical Fishing” truly stand out is its commitment to coziness without ever feeling shallow. Sure, there are powerful systems at play and mysterious cosmic forces lurking in the background—but Jobson never loses sight of intimate joys: a perfectly cast line, a bond with a pet crab who gleefully shoots energy blades (yes, really!), gentle companionship amid absurdity. It reminded me of lazy Saturday mornings by mountain lakes growing up—those times when nothing mattered except clouds drifting overhead and whether my dad could teach me yet another fishing knot.

The pacing kept me happily engaged for nearly 24 hours—a feat considering most LitRPGs can bog down in stat sheets or endless battles. Instead, Jobson weaves moments of heart into every chapter: small acts of kindness between misfits; resilience in choosing one’s own path even if it means being misunderstood or “alienated” by those around you. As someone who teaches high schoolers about individuality and empathy through creative writing workshops, I admired how gently but firmly these themes were explored here.

Now for honesty: Because this is such a character-driven tale brimming with unique flavor, having no prominent narrator (or perhaps simply not knowing their name) sometimes left me wishing for more distinctive vocal flair between characters—I craved extra texture during conversations that teetered between hilarious banter and vulnerable confessions. Still, overall production quality was clear and well-paced enough that immersion rarely faltered.

For anyone craving humor-laced escapism that gently pokes fun at genre tropes while still offering emotional depth—and especially for listeners like me who find solace where coziness meets quirk—“Heretical Fishing” is pure comfort food for the ears and soul alike. I’m already eager for Book 2…though next time I’ll bring snacks worthy of sharing with Fischer’s endearing little crab!